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SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–With just over a month before the nation’s first launched wing roller coaster opens to the public, Holiday World officials launched a charity auction for the very first public rides. “For these historic first rides on our new roller coaster, we decided to auction the specific seats to the highest bidders,” says the…

SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Twenty water-filled test dummies got the ride of their lives today as they experienced the first flight of the nation’s only launched wing roller coaster. As this week’s snow thawed, Thunderbird roared to life this afternoon and launched its first train 14 stories into the cloudless sky at 2:03pm, completing a full ride…

SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Local auditions for Holiday World’s 2015 cast of entertainers are scheduled for next month at the theme park. The 2015 musical entertainment lineup at Holiday World includes the following: Live Country Band: Contemporary and classic country hits performed by a live band EPIC Praise: Contemporary Christian music with worship music and Christian hits…

SANTA CLAUS, IND. —– A past performer from Holiday World will appear on Wednesday’s “San Francisco Audition” episode of American Idol on Fox TV. Rayvon Owen performed in the park’s Rejoice! show as well as the Legacy acappella group in 2011. Also a songwriter, his “Brand New Day” was featured in last year’s EPIC Praise…

SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari officials expect to review a record number of job applications as they prepare to fill 2,200 seasonal positions in the coming months. “We’re looking for friendly and energetic individuals who enjoy working with people,” says Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari President Matt Eckert. “We need ride operators, lifeguards,…

Santa Claus, Indiana — Christmas arrived early at Holiday World theme park today, as the 77th piece of bright orange steel track was lifted into place, completing the full circuit for Thunderbird, the park’s first major steel roller coaster. Holiday World’s Vice President of Development & Maintenance, James Olliver, credits a team of more than…

Timeline: from Santa Claus Land to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari 1941 Louis J. Koch visits the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, and begins plans to open what is to become the world’s first theme park. 1945 Construction of Santa Claus Land begins (August 4). 1946 Opening day of the world’s first theme park, Santa…

SANTA CLAUS, IND — Holiday World may be closed for the season, but fans can tune in to see the park featured in this week’s episode of “All-American Amusement Parks” on the Great American Country channel. This new travel show is hosted by J.D. Scott, one of the “Scott brothers” featured on several HGTV shows….

SANTA CLAUS, IND. — The nation’s first launched wing coaster hits a milestone today, as the highest piece of track is lifted into place by a 165-foot-tall crane. Thunderbird, Holiday World’s $22 million steel roller coaster, does not have a standard lift hill, but instead will launch winged trains full of riders into a 140-foot-tall…

SANTA CLAUS, IND. — The four holiday-themed sections at Holiday World will present a single theme on Saturdays and Sundays starting this weekend, as the park premieres this year’s Happy Halloween Weekends on September 20. “Holiday World is all about family fun and making memories – even during the Halloween season,” says park president Matt…

SANTA CLAUS, IND. — As Holiday World prepares for its annual Happy Halloween Weekends to premiere this weekend, a gaggle of ghouls from six states rehearses for this season’s Graveyard Smash show. These singing and dancing zombies wail from near and far: • Nolan Baker, Waverly, Iowa • Polanco Jones, New Orleans, Louisiana • Kylee…

Wildebeest Named Top Waterpark Ride Holiday World Voted Cleanest Park SANTA CLAUS, IND. — Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors during the 2014 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony, held this evening at SeaWorld San Diego in California. For the fifth year in a row, Holiday World’s Wildebeest water coaster was named…

SANTA CLAUS, IND. — Three corporate “buy-outs” will close Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari to the public for three days over the next two weekends. The companies participating in the buy-outs are: Saturday, September 6: Alliance Resource Partners Sunday, September 7: Kimball International Sunday, September 14: Toyota More than 25,000 employees and family members from…

SANTA CLAUS, IND—–That “high lonesome sound” will fill the air at Holiday World during the upcoming Labor Day Weekend as the park hosts its first “Red, White & Bluegrass Festival.” Throughout the three-day holiday weekend, these nationally- and regionally-known bluegrass groups will perform in the park’s Hoosier Celebration Theater: Saturday, August 30 Special Consensus 11am-12:30pm…

SANTA CLAUS, IND—Joining the wave of fund-raising for ALS research, today the full-time staff of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari was drenched with ice and cold water after issuing a challenge to four other parks. “I was challenged personally on Facebook last week,” says Leah Koch, a fourth-generation owner and park director. “When I challenged…